questions concerning measurements, experiments, and activities that demonstrate physics and are safe to do at home, require at most one tool or ingredient not readily available, and can be interpreted or analyzed on one sheet of paper with accessible math.
2
votes
3answers
677 views
How to make a small tokamak?
$\require{mhchem}$I made a fusor once, like the easy science project: deuterium-deuterium ones, but they're really inefficient. I was wondering if it would be possible to make a small tokamak; not one ...
2
votes
1answer
169 views
How can I calculate how long to keep my beverage chilled?
The problem is simple, I suppose...
I have a beverage at room temperature (let's say 23°C) in an aluminum can (it's a Barq's root beer.) I want to put it in a freezer (let's say it's at -17°C). How ...
3
votes
2answers
4k views
How do you magnetize an object?
How can I go about magnetizing something? Specifically, a whole bunch of BB's. I want to try this so that I could make a cheaper version of the Bucky Balls product. Even if I can't replicate Bucky ...
1
vote
2answers
245 views
How does my air-cooling unit work?
During the winter, my office gets a little cold. I have a unit (essentially a space heater) that heats the area around it to help keep me warm.
Now that it's summer, I realize the unit also has a ...
7
votes
1answer
503 views
Why does the water in the toilet move around so much on stormy days?
On calm days, the water in the toilet looks completely still. But when it's rainy and windy out, the water looks like it moves and pulsates. Why is this?
8
votes
2answers
751 views
The Galileo thermometer: why do the bubbles float in the middle of the tube?
If the water were uniform temperature, it would have uniform density, so a bubble should either be all the way at the top (if it's lighter than water) or all the way at the bottom (if heavier). But in ...
161
votes
19answers
55k views
Cooling a cup of coffee with help of a spoon
During the breakfast with my colleagues, a question popped into my head:
What is the fastest method to cool a cup of coffee, if your only available instrument is a spoon?
A qualitative answer would ...
5
votes
8answers
427 views
Example of a time varying function which can be easily measured
My sister is in 10th grade. She doesn't seem to understand the concept of time varying functions (current, light, sound wave forms etc). I explained her in easiest possible terms. She got it but not ...
6
votes
2answers
833 views
How to count photons
How are photons counted?
What is the experimental setup used to count photons from a laser or even a lamp? Of course, in the case of the lamp, I would be able to count only the photons that pass ...
5
votes
2answers
763 views
Black hole analog experiment?
This question is directed mostly at people giving lectures on black holes, but input by other physicists or students is very much appreciated.
Do you know a good (home)-experiment with a black hole ...
9
votes
7answers
3k views
Why is a 1mW laser dangerous?
In our Physics lab we have a 1 milliwatt (0.001W) helium neon laser. Despite the low power, we were cautioned not to even look at reflections of the beam as it could cause permanent eye damage - why ...
4
votes
4answers
396 views
How would you design an experiment to grok optical phenomena?
I've been toying with the idea of making a 3D scanner that uses an IR distance sensor to find position vectors of an object in space and then translates that into a 3D computer model.
One of the ...
13
votes
3answers
1k views
Home experiment to estimate Avogadro's number?
How to get an approximation of Avogadro or Boltzmann constant through experimental means accessible by an hobbyist ?
6
votes
3answers
3k views
Why do lightbulbs continue to glow after the light is turned off?
I've noticed that whenever I turn the lamp off in my room at night, the lightbulb seems to continue to glow for a minute or so after that. It's not bright though; the only way I even notice it is if ...
28
votes
13answers
7k views
Home experiments to derive the speed of light?
Are there any experiments I can do to derive the speed of light with only common household tools?
11
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I measure the mass of the earth at home?
How can I measure the mass of the earth at home?
How was the mass of the earth first measured?
5
votes
2answers
516 views
What are insightful/impressive experiments for adults
Similar to this question: what experiements do you think are impressive for layman adults?
I for example like how you can simulate an Einstein Ring with the bottom of a wine glass.
12
votes
9answers
912 views
What are good mechanics experiments for 10 year olds?
I'm trying to explain elementary mechanics - without the benefits of calculus or even algebra - and struggling. I'd like to find reasonable ways to demonstrate Newton's laws, minimally, and possibly ...
